Heavy Snow Has Ohio Seeking More Road Salt

Local governments in Ohio might get some help soon replenishing their dwindling road salt supplies.

Credit Flickr Creative Commons User Derrick Coetzee

The snow started early in Ohio and hasn't stopped yet, leading to a shortage of salt for treating roads. The Ohio Department of Transportation is nearing its purchasing limit on four contracts negotiated last summer with suppliers to provide the salt for the state and for local governments.

The Columbus Dispatch reports Wednesday that the state is trying to negotiate new deals, asking salt companies to bid on a set of new contracts that could make an additional 150,000 tons available to local governments across the state.

The new supplies could reach salt barns across the state within two weeks.